Certain pyridyl alkenoic acid derivatives which inhibit the action of thromboxane A2 synthetase

ABSTRACT

Novel compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R 1  is pyridyl group, R 2  is a phenyl group, a thienyl group, a furyl group, a naphthyl group, a benzothienyl group or pyridyl group, which may optionally have a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, trifluoromethyl group, a lower alkenyl group or methylenedioxy group, R 3  is hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and n is an integer of 0 to 6, Y is sulphur atom, methylene group or a group of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R 4  is hydrogen atom or acetyl group, and m is 0 or 1, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts having an inhibitory action on bio-synthesis of thromboxane A 2  (TXA 2 ) and an effect of accelerating the productivility of prostaglandin I 2  (PGI 2 ), and can be used for mammals to the prophylaxis or therapy of thrombosis caused by platelet aggregation or ischemic diseases caused by vasospasms in cardiac, cerebral and peripheral circulatory system (e.g. cardiac infarction, apoplexy, infarct of blood vessels in kidney, lung and other organs, pectic ulcer, etc.).

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 502,603, filed June 9, 1983, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,078.

This invention relates to novel substituted vinyl carboxylic acid derivatives having an activity of specifically inhibiting the enzymic synthesis of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂).

The present inventors have conducted analytical investigation, from the standpoint of molecular orbital theory, on factors of the three-dimensional structure of prostaglandin H₂ (PGH₂) which plays a role of the substrate for enzymic synthesis of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂), studied the construction of molecular model having an inhibitory activity on the enzymic synthesis of thromboxane A₂, and found a group of pharmacologically excellent compounds having a novel structure and an inhibitory activity on the enzymic synthesis of thromboxane A₂, and thus the present invention has been completed.

More specifically, this invention relates to:

(1) Substituted vinyl carboxylic acid derivatives representable by the formula; ##STR3## wherein R¹ stands for pyridyl group, R² stands for a phenyl group, a thienyl group, a furyl group, a naphthyl group, a benzothienyl group or a pyridyl group which may have a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, trifluoromethyl group, a lower alkenyl group or methylenedioxy group, Y stands for a sulphur atom, methylene group or a group representable by the general formula; ##STR4## (where R⁴ stands for hydrogen atom or acetyl group, and m denotes 0 or 1), R³ stands for hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and n denotes an integer of 0 to 6, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In the above formula (I), the pyridyl group representable by R¹ and R² may be one of 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl and 4-pyridyl, and, the thienyl, furyl, naphthyl and benzothienyl may respectively be any one of 2-thienyl and 3-thienyl; 2-furyl and 3-furyl; α-naphthyl and β-naphthyl; 2-benzothienyl, 3-benzothienyl, 4-benzothienyl, 5-benzothienyl, 6-benzothienyl and 7-benzothienyl.

As the substituents of phenyl, furyl, thienyl, naphthyl, benzothienyl and pyridyl shown by R², there may be mentioned a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom and a lower alkenyl group, which are respectively exemplified by groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, i-propoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, t-butoxy, etc.; groups having 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, i-pentyl, etc.; fluorine, chlorine, bromine, etc.; and groups having 2 to 5 carbon atoms such as vinyl, allyl, pentenyl, etc. When the phenyl, thienyl, furyl, naphthyl, benzothienyl or pyridyl shown by R² has a substituent, the substitution may take place at an optional position of the ring. As the lower alkyl shown by R³ in the formulas (I), there may be mentioned groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, etc.

The compounds of the general formula (I) may be in a form of pharmaceutically acceptable salt or addition salt. The addition salts may be those with, for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, methanesulfonic acid or benzenesulfonic acid. When R³ of the compound (I) is hydrogen, the compound (I) may be an alkali metal salt such as sodium salt or potassium salt, or an alkaline earth metal salt such as calcium salt.

Typical examples of the compound (I) may be enumerated as 7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid, 8-phenyl-8-(3-pyridyl)-7-octenoic acid, 7-(2-thienyl)-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid, 8-(2-thienyl)-8-(3-pyridyl)-7-octenoic acid or 7-(2-naphthyl)-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid.

The substituted vinyl carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula (I) and the salts thereof have a strong inhibitory action on thromboxane-synthesase solubilized and fractionated from blood platelet microsome of men, cows or horses, and these compounds show a strong inhibitory action on bio-synthesis of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) in vivo.

The compounds (I) and salts thereof of this invention have also an increasing effect on the production of prostaglandin I₂ (PGI₂) showing a dilating action of arterial smooth muscle, an inhibitory action of platelet aggregation or an action or re-dissociation of platelet aggregation.

More specifically, prostaglandin G₂ (PGG₂) or prostaglandin H₂ (PGH₂) are important intermediates of thromboxane A₂, prostaglandin I₂ and other prostaglandins, and the compounds (I) and salts thereof of this invention show an inhibitory action on the enzyme capable of converting PGH₂ or PGG₂ into thromboxane A₂ (thromboxane A₂ synthetase) at an extremely low concentration (not higher than 3×10⁻⁸ mol.), while showing no substantial action of inhibiting, for example, enzymes capable of converting PGH₂ or PGG₂ into prostaglandin I₂ and other prostaglandins which are physiologically required, for example, PGI₂ synthetase and other prostaglandin synthesizing enzymes, rather having beneficial effect in accelerating the efficiency of utilizing PGG₂ to cause the production of PGI₂ in the living body.

As explained above, substituted vinyl carboxylic acid derivatives representable by the formula (I) and salts thereof specifically inhibit the action of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) synthetase without exerting substantial influence upon the action of prostaglandin I₂ (PGI₂) synthetase or prostaglandin synthetase (fatty acid cycloxygenase).

The compounds (I) and salts thereof of this invention have remarkably less toxicity [For example, no mouse was dead for 14 days when 7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid was orally administered in an amount of 1000 mg/kg to five mice], and there is characteristically a wide margin between the amount showing toxicity and that showing pharmacological effects. Therefore, the compounds of this invention are of less undersirable side-effect, and can be used for mammals (e.g. rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, human being, etc.) for the prophylaxis or therapy of thrombosis caused by platelet aggregation or ischemic diseases caused by vasospasms in cardiac, cerebral and peripheral circulatory system (e.g. cardiac infarction, angina pectoris stroke, ischemic disease in the kidney, lung and other organs, peptic ulcer, etc.).

For practical administration, the compound of this invention can be used orally as tablet, capsule, power or granule and non-orally as injection or pellet. The dosage for oral use normally ranges from 50 mg to 500 mg per adult per day, and from 50 mg to 200 mg for non-oral use, divided in 1-3 times a day.

Among the compounds of the formula (I), the compounds of the formula: ##STR5## wherein R⁵ is a phenyl group or a thienyl group, which may have a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom or trifluoromethyl group, l is an integer of 3 to 7, and R³ has the meaning given above, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are preferable from the viewpoint of inhibitory action of thromboxane A₂ synthetase.

Alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups and halogen atoms, which are the substituents of phenyl group or thienyl group, shown by R⁵ are all of the same type as those of R², respectively. Thienyl group shown by R⁵ is also the same as that shown by R².

The compound (I) can be prepared (1) by reacting a compound of the formula: ##STR6## wherein R¹ and R² are of the same meaning as defined above, with a compound of the formula:

    (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 P.sup.+ --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2).sub.n COOR.sup.3 ·X.sup.-            (III)

wherein R³ and n are of the same meaning as defined above and X is a halogen atom, or (2) by reacting a compound of the formula: ##STR7## wherein R¹ and R² are of the same meaning as defined above and Z is a halogen atom, with a compound of the formula:

    HY.sup.1 --CH.sub.2).sub.n COOR.sup.3                      (V)

wherein R³ and n are of the same meaning as defined above and Y¹ is sulfur atom or a group of the formula: ##STR8## wherein R⁴ and m are of the same meaning as defined above.

The reaction of the compound (II) with the compound (III) gives a compound of the formula: ##STR9## wherein each symbol is of the same meaning as defined above, and the reaction of the compound (IV) with the compound (V) gives a compound of the formula: ##STR10## wherein each symbol is of the same meaning as defined above.

As the halogen atom shown by X in the formula (III) or shown by Z in the formula (IV), there may be mentioned chlorine or bromine, for example.

The reaction of the compound (II) with the compound (III) is usually conducted in the presence of a base in a solvent used. As such bases are enumerated, for example, n-butyl lithium, sodium hydride or potassium tertiary butoxide. Among them, n-butyl lithium and sodium hydride are preferably employed. The base is used usually in an amount of 1.5 to 4 moles, preferably in an amount of 2 to 3 moles, per mole of compound (III). As the solvent, there may be mentioned, for example, ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide or a mixed solvent or two or more of them. In this reaction, one mole of compound (II) is usually contacted with 0.8 to 1.2 mole of compound (III).

The reaction is conducted preferably under the atmosphere of a dry inert gas (e.g. nitrogen, argon and helium gases.) The reaction temperature ranges from -10° C. to 50° C., preferably from 0° C. to 30° C. The progress of the reaction can be recognized by observing the disappearance of the specific color of the phospholane, and, in general, the reaction completes in about 1-6 hours.

The reaction between a compound representable by the general formula (IV) and a compound representable by the general formula (V) is usually conducted in a solvent in the presence of a base. As such bases are preferably mentioned, for example, sodium hydride, potassium tertiary butoxide, potassium carbonate or sodium methoxide. The base is used usually in an amount of 0.8 to 2 moles, preferably in an amount of 1 to 1.5 mole, per mole of compound (V). As the solvent, there may be enumerated, for example, ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide or a mixed solvent of two or more of them. In this reaction, one mole of compound (IV) is usually contacted with 0.8 to 1.2 mole of compound (V).

The reaction temperature ranges usually from -10° C. to 60° C., preferably 0° C.-30° C., and the reaction time ranges usually from 1 to 3 hours.

Thus prepared substituted vinyl carboxylic acid derivatives (I) can be separated and refined by a per se conventional method such as extraction, concentration, crystallization or liquid-chromatography.

The compounds (I) are in the category of tri-substituted olefinic compounds including, depending on the cases, two types of geometrical isomers. Separation of such isomers may be conducted by, for example, fractional crystallization or chromatography.

When a compound (I) takes the form of carboxylic acid [R³ in the formula (I) is hydrogen], it can be led to an ester form [R³ in the formula (I) is a lower alkyl] and conversely, when a compound (I) takes the form of an ester, it can be led to the form of a free carboxylic acid.

Each of compounds of the formula (I-1) has two geometrical isomers of the formulas: ##STR11## wherein each symbol has the meaning given above.

In the following description of this invention, the compound wherein, as in the case of compounds represented by the formula (I-1a), the pyridine ring substituting one of the carbon atoms involved in the vinyl double bond and the hydrogen atom substituting the other carbon atom are disposed in the same direction will be referred to as the E isomer and the compound wherein, as in the case of compounds represented by formula (I-1b), the pyridine ring substituting one of the carbon atoms involved in the vinyl double bond and the hydrogen atom substituting the other carbon atom are disposed in the opposite direction will be referred to as the Z isomer.

The Z isomer (I-1b) can be isomerized to the E isomer (I-1a) by isomerization reaction which comprises heating the Z isomer in the presence of a mineral acid.

The isomerization reaction is generally conducted either in water or in an aqueous organic solvent. This aqueous organic solvent should basically be a solvent that will not be decomposed by mineral acids. Thus, for example, mixtures of water with acetic acid, formic acid, etc. may be mentioned. The mineral acid may for example be hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, perchloric acid, methanesulfonic acid or the like, although hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid or phosphoric acid is preferably employed. This acid is generally used in the proportion of about 6 to 15 moles per mole of the starting compound (I-1b). The reaction temperature is generally about 50° to 140° C. and preferably about 100° to 130° C. At a lower temperature, the reaction is undesirably retarded. The reaction time varies with the kind and amount of the acid catalyst used and the heating temperature. Generally, such reaction conditions are selected as would reach an equilibrium of acid isomerization in about 10 to 40 hours.

This reaction is an equilibrium reaction between E isomer (I-1a) and Z isomer (I-1b), and by subjecting either the E isomer or the Z isomer or an optional mixture of E and Z isomers to the isomerization reaction, it can be converted to a mixture consisting of about 60 to 70% of E isomer (I-1a) and about 30 to 40% of Z isomer (I-1b). Since, as aforementioned, the E isomer is pharmacologically superior to the Z isomer, this reaction is advantageously applied to mixtures containing 40% or more of Z isomer.

When this reaction is conducted using a compound of general formula (I-1b) wherein R³ is a lower alkyl group as a starting material, a hydrolysis reaction takes place concurrently to give the Compound (I-1a) wherein R³ is hydrogen.

The product compound (I-1a) (E isomer) obtainable by this reaction can be isolated and purified by such procedures as, for example, adjusting the reaction mixture to pH 5.0 to 6.0 with aqueous ammonia, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or the like, extracting the product compound with an organic solvent such as ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane or the like and subjecting the extract to the conventional purification procedure such as crystallization or chromatography. The yield of this isomerization reaction can be improved by repetitive application thereof to the residual Z isomer-rich mixture remaining after isolation, for example by fractional crystallization, of E isomer (I-1a).

When the compounds of general formula (I-1a) and (I-1b) are carboxylic acids [in formulas (II) and (III), R³ is a hydrogen atom], these acids can, if necessary be esterified to the corresponding esters [In formulas (I-1a) and (I-1b), R² is a lower alkyl group]. Conversely, if the compounds (I-1a) and (I-1b) are esters, they can be hydrolyzed to the free carboxylic acids.

The compound (I-1) obtained in the reaction of compound (II) with compound (III) or in the reaction of compound (IV) with compound (V) is a substantially equimolar mixture of E and Z isomers. This mixture can be directly used in the practice of this invention but it is of course possible to separate the E and Z isomer from each other by way of fractional recrystallization or liquid chromatography and subjecting the Z isomer alone to the isomerization reaction mentioned above.

A compound (IV) can be prepared by allowing vinyl magnesium halide to react with a compound (II) to give a compound representable by the general formula: ##STR12## wherein each symbol is of the same meaning as defined above, followed by subjecting the compound (VI) to halogenization.

The reaction between a compound (II) and vinyl magnesium halide is conducted in, for example, ether, tetrahydrofuran or a mixture thereof under the atmosphere of an inert gas such as nitrogen or helium at a temperature ranging from -5° C. to room temperature.

Halogenation of a compound (VI) is conducted by allowing a halogenating agent such as thionyl chloride, thionyl bromide, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus trichloride or phosphorus tribromide, to react with a compound (VI) in a solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform, ether or isopropyl ether. The compound (IV) thus prepared is unstable, and special attention should be paid to the reaction temperature. The reaction temperature ranges usually from about -20° C. to about 20° C. Thusobtained halide (IV) can be used without purification for condensation with a compound (V).

A compound (II) can be prepared by, as shown by the following reaction schema, allowing an organic lithium compound to react with an aldehyde compound to give a compound (VII), which is then allowed to react with manganese dioxide or dimethylsulfoxide-oxalyl chloride. ##STR13##

The following Reference Examples, Examples and Experimentals illustrate the present invention more concretely:

REFERECE EXAMPLE 1 Process A

3-Brompyridine (10.0 g, 63 mmoles) was dissolved in ether (200 ml) under argon, which was cooled to -30° C. To this solution was added dropwise a n-butyl lithium hexane solution (1.62 mol. concentration, 40 ml) during 10 minutes, then the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes under the same reaction conditions. The reaction temperature was gradually raised to room temperature, then water (300 ml) was added to the reaction mixture, which was subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate (300 ml). The organic layer was washed with water, dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was subjected to a silica-gel chromatography using ethyl acetate to give the desired secondary alcohol compound (VIIIa-2 in Table 1) (9 g, 76%)

Secondary alcohol compounds (VIIa-1-VIIa-22) prepared by a method analogous to the above-mentioned process are collectively listed in Table 1.

Process B

Benzothiophene (2.0 g, 14.9 mmoles) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (6 ml) and ether (12 ml) under argon. To the solution was added dropwise n-butyl lithium (1.62 molar concentration, 2.5 ml) in hexane at a temperature ranging from -20° C. to 0° C., whereupon the solution became blue. Fifteen minutes later, to the solution was added dropwise a solution of nicotinaldehyde (1.6 g) in tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) at a temperature ranging from 0° C. to 25° C. The mixture is stirred for one hour. To the reaction solution was added water (50 ml), and the mixture was subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was separated and purified by per se known method to give a seconary alcohol compound (VIIIa-23 in Table 1) (2.1 g). Data including physico-chemical properties are shown in Table 1.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR14##                                                                     Compound                       Elemental Analysis                              No.    R.sup.2          m.p.      Calc.                                                                              Found                                    __________________________________________________________________________     VIIa-1                                                                                 ##STR15##       106-107° C.                                                                    C H N                                                                             72.54  6.09  6.51                                                                  72.41  6.15  6.70                        VIIa-2                                                                                 ##STR16##       107-108° C.                                                                    C H N                                                                             79.26  7.54  6.16                                                                  79.51  7.35  6.17                        VIIa-3                                                                                 ##STR17##       125-126° C.                                                                    C H  N                                                                            54.57  3.82  5.30                                                                  54.50  3.76  5.31                        VIIa-4                                                                                 ##STR18##       95-96° C.                                                                      C H N                                                                             54.57  3.82  5.30                                                                  54.53  3.86  5.32                        VIIa-5                                                                                 ##STR19##       125-126° C.                                                                    C H N                                                                             54.57  3.82  5.30                                                                  54.51  3.86  5.31                        VIIa-6                                                                                 ##STR20##       72-73° C.                                                                      C H N                                                                             70.31  7.01  5.13                                                                  69.99  6.89  5.19                        VIIa-7                                                                                 ##STR21##       79-80° C.                                                                      C H N                                                                             70.31  7.01  5.13                                                                  70.44  6.96  5.39                        VIIa-8                                                                                 ##STR22##       105-106° C.                                                                    C H N                                                                             68.11  4.84  6.11                                                                  68.07  4.57  6.14                        VIIa-9                                                                                 ##STR23##       135-136° C.                                                                    C H N                                                                             81.68  5.57  5.95                                                                  81.40  5.70  6.16                        VIIa-10                                                                                ##STR24##       123-125° C.                                                                    C H N                                                                             81.68  5.57  5.95                                                                  81.61  5.83  6.16                        VIIa-11                                                                                ##STR25##       59-60° C.                                                                      C H N                                                                             62.80  4.74  7.33                                                                  62.61  4.74  7.64                        VIIa-12                                                                                ##STR26##       oily   C H N                                                                             70.95  5.41  7.52                                                                  71.06  5.28  7.32                        VIIa-13                                                                                ##STR27##       150-152° C.                                                                    C H N                                                                             69.12  5.39  5.76                                                                  69.30   5.40  5.81                       VIIa-14                                                                                ##STR28##       97-98° C.                                                                      C H N                                                                             65.44  6.22  5.09                                                                  65.37  6.20  5.15                        VIIa-15                                                                                ##STR29##       86-87° C.                                                                      C H N                                                                             70.92  4.96  6.89                                                                  71.34  4.90  6.92                        VIIa-16                                                                                ##STR30##       73-74° C.                                                                      C H N                                                                             70.92  4.96  6.89                                                                  70.83  4.95  6.81                        VIIa-17                                                                                ##STR31##       oily   C H N                                                                             61.66  3.98  5.53                                                                  61.48  3.84  5.43                        VIIa-18                                                                                ##STR32##       oily   C H N                                                                             62.80  4.74  7.33                                                                  62.76  4.83  7.16                        VIIa-19                                                                                ##STR33##       oily   C H N                                                                             68.56  5.18  8.00                                                                  68.64  5.30  7.89                        VIIa-20                                                                                ##STR34##       oily   C H N S                                                                           69.46  6.61  5.40 12.36                                                            69.63  6.38  5.62 12.43                  VIIa-21                                                                                ##STR35##       oily   C H N                                                                             79.96  8.29  5.49                                                                  80.21  8.16  5.52                        VIIa-22                                                                                ##STR36##       76-77° C.                                                                      C H N                                                                             79.96  8.29  5.49                                                                  79.84  8.33  5.32                        VIIa-23                                                                                ##STR37##       141-142° C.                                                                    C H N S                                                                           69.68  4.59  5.80 13.29                                                            69.77  4.40  5.72 13.40                  __________________________________________________________________________

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 2

An alcohol compound (VIIa) prepared in Reference Example 1 was led to a carbonyl compound (IIa in Table II) by Process A or Process B shown below.

Oxidation with manganese dioxide was able to apply to oxidation of all the secondary alcohol compounds (VII), and, oxidation with dimethylsulfoxide-oxalyl chloride could apply to all the compounds except those containing thiophene nuclei.

Process A

The alcohol compound (VIIa-11) (4.0 g, 21 mmoles) was dissolved in methylene chloride (70 ml). To the solution was added manganese dioxide (13 g), and the mixture was stirred for 10 hours under heating. Then, manganese dioxide was removed by filtration. The filtrate, combined with washings of the manganese dioxide with ethyl acetate and acetone, was concentrated. The concentrate was recrystallized from a mixture of isopropylether and ethyl acetate to give the corresponding carbonyl compound (IIa-12 in Table 2) (3 g, 75%).

Process B

Oxalyl chloride (2.2 ml) was dissolved in methylene chloride (50 ml), and the solution was cooled to -60° C., to which was added dropwise a methylene chloride solution (5 ml) containing dimethylsulfoxide (4 ml) at a temperature ranging from -60° C. to -50° C. To the mixture was further added dropwise a methylene chloride solution (50 ml) of alcohol compound (VII-2, 4.5 g, 20 mmoles) during 10 minutes at the same temperature range. Further 15 minutes, triethylamine (15 ml) was gradually added to the mixture, then the reaction temperature was raised up to room temperature taking about one hour. To the reaction mixture was added water (20 ml), and the solvent was evaporated off. The residue was subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried and concentrated under reduced pressure. The concentrate was purified by means of silica-gel chromatography to yield the corresponding carbonyl compound (IIa-3 in Table 2, 4.3 g, 98%).

By the procedure analogous to the above two processes, the carbonyl compounds shown in Table 2 below were prepared (IIa-1-IIa-25, in Table 2).

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR38##                                                                     Compound                       Elemental Analysis                              No.   R.sup.2            m.p.    Calc.                                                                              Found                                     __________________________________________________________________________     IIa-1                                                                                 ##STR39##         77-78° C.                                                                     C H N                                                                            79.16 5.62 7.10                                                                    79.21 5.37 6.99                           IIa-2                                                                                 ##STR40##         98-99° C.                                                                     C H N                                                                            73.22 5.20 6.57                                                                    72.94 5.15 6.52                           IIa-3                                                                                 ##STR41##         oily  C H N                                                                            79.97 6.71 6.22                                                                    79.79 6.84 6.20                           IIa-4                                                                                 ##STR42##         oily  C H N                                                                            54.99  3.08 5.35                                                                   54.78 3.14 5.22                           IIa-5                                                                                 ##STR43##         57-58° C.                                                                     C H N                                                                            54.99 3.08 5.35                                                                    54.82 3.21 5.42                           IIa-6                                                                                 ##STR44##         oily  C H N                                                                            54.99 3.08 5.35                                                                    55.07 3.10 5.26                           IIa-7                                                                                 ##STR45##         117-118° C.                                                                   C H N                                                                            70.83 6.31 5.16                                                                    70.74 6.43 5.09                           IIa-8                                                                                 ##STR46##         oily  C H N                                                                            70.83 6.31 5.16                                                                    70.89 6.34 5.23                           IIa-9                                                                                 ##STR47##         112-113° C.                                                                   C H N                                                                            68.82 3.99 6.17                                                                    68.86 3.95 6.28                           IIa-10                                                                                ##STR48##         71-72°  C.                                                                    C H N                                                                            82.38 4.75 6.01                                                                    82.33 4.80 5.99                           IIa-11                                                                                ##STR49##         oily  C H N                                                                            82.38 4.75 6.01                                                                    82.46 4.82 6.11                           IIa-12                                                                                ##STR50##         93-94° C.                                                                     C H N                                                                            63.47 3.73 7.40                                                                    63.97 3.88 7.36                           IIa-13                                                                                ##STR51##         115-116° C.                                                                   C H N                                                                            71.73  4.38 15.21                                                                  71.81  4.34 15.11                         IIa-14                                                                                ##STR52##         144-145° C.                                                                   C H N                                                                            69.70 4.60 5.81                                                                    69.77 4.51 6.06                           IIa-15                                                                                ##STR53##         oily  C H N                                                                            65.92 5.53 5.13                                                                    66.12 5.43 5.08                           IIa-16                                                                                ##STR54##         oily  C 71.64 4.01 6.96                                                                    71.73 4.03 6.87                           IIa-17                                                                                ##STR55##         45-46° C.                                                                     C H N                                                                            71.64 4.01 6.96                                                                    71.64 4.11 6.45                           IIa-18                                                                                ##STR56##         oily  C H N                                                                            62.16 3.21 5.58                                                                    62.21 3.16 5.64                           IIa-19                                                                                ##STR57##         oily  C H N                                                                            71.64 4.01 6.96                                                                    71.68 4.13 6.92                           IIa-20                                                                                ##STR58##         74-75° C.                                                                     C H N                                                                            63.47 3.73 7.40                                                                    63.32 3.85 7.22                           IIa-21                                                                                ##STR59##         57-58° C.                                                                     C H N                                                                            69.36 4.07 8.09                                                                    69.28 4.10 8.16                           IIa-22                                                                                ##STR60##         94-95° C.                                                                     C H  N S                                                                         70.27  3.79  5.85 13.40                                                            70.35  3.68  5.92 13.34                   IIa-23                                                                                ##STR61##         oily  C H N S                                                                          70.01  5.88  5.44 12.46                                                            69.87  5.92  5.38 12.58                   IIa-24                                                                                ##STR62##         oily  C H N                                                                            80.61 8.36 5.53                                                                    80.69 8.35 5.42                           IIa-25                                                                                ##STR63##         oily  C H N N                                                                          80.61 8.36 5.53                                                                    80.53 8.48 5.41                           __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 1

To dimethylsulfoxide (40 ml) was added dropwise sodium hydride (1.0 g), and the mixture was heated at 80° C. for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, to which was added 5-carboxypentyltriphenyl phosphonium bromide (9.5 g, 21 mmoles) and the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes. To the reaction mixture was added a tetrahydrofuran solution (10 ml) of 3.7 g (0.02 mole) of 3-benzoylpyridine. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature, followed by addition of water (100 ml), which was subjected to extraction twice with ethylacetate (50 ml). The aqueous layers were combined and adjusted to pH 6 with 2N HCl, which was subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were combined and washed with water and dried (magnesium sulfate). The solvent was then evaporated off, and the residue was subjected to silica-gel chromatography, using ethanolethyl acetate (1:5) as eluant to yield (E)+(Z)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-phenyl-6-heptenoic acid (Ia-3, Ia-4 in Table 3) (4.5 g 79%).

By the procedure analogous to the above Example, (Ia-1-Ia-10) in Table 3-1, (Ib-11-Ib-38) in Table 3-2, (Ic-39-Ic-41) in Table 3-3, and (Id-42) in Table 3-4 were prepared.

Separation of isomers was conducted by means of fractional crystallization or a liquid chromatography using Lobar Lichroprep RP-8 (40-63 μm, manufactured by Merck & Co.).

                                      TABLE 3-1                                    __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR64##                                                                     Compound                                                                               Isomer*.sup.1                                                                        NMR Spectrum                                                     No.   n (m.p.)                                                                               (δ value, p.p.m., TMS internal standard)                   __________________________________________________________________________     Ia-1  1 Z     11.1 (1H,COOH), 8.53 (1H,m), 8.45 (1H,m), 7.20 (7H,m), 6.17                    (1H,t,7Hz), 2.32 (2H,m),                                                       2.17 (2H,m), 1.79 (2H,m)                                         Ia-2  1 E     11.1 (1H,COOH), 8.53 (1H,m), 8.45 (1H,m), 7.20 (7H,m), 6.12                    (1H,t,7Hz), 2.32 (2H,m),                                                       2.17 (2H,m), 1.79 (2H,m)                                         Ia-3  2 Z     11.6 (1H,COOH), 8.53 (1H,m), 8.46 (1H,m), 7.54 (1H,d,7Hz),                     7.27 (6H,m), 6.16 (1H,t,7Hz),                                                  2.29 (2H,t,7Hz), 2.17 (2H,m), 1.57 (4H,m)                        Ia-4  2 E     11.8 (1H,COOH), 8.55 (2H,m), 7.46 (1H,d,7Hz), 7.31 (3H,m),                     7.16 (3H,m), 6.13 (1H,t,7Hz),                                            108-110° C.                                                                   2.29 (2H,t,7Hz), 2.13 (2H,t,7Hz), 1.58 (4H,m)                    Ia-5  3 Z     9.43 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.52 (1H,d,6Hz), 7.20 (6H,m),                     6.16 (1H,t,7Hz),                                                               2.31 (2H,t,7Hz), 2.06 (2H,t,7Hz), 1.60 (2H,m), 1.43 (4H,m)       Ia-6  3 E     11.30 (1H,COOH), 8.53 (1H,s), 8.43 (1H,d,5Hz), 7.47                            (1H,d,7Hz), 7.30 (3H,m),                                                       7.20 (3H,m), 6.11 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.10 (2H,t,7Hz), 1.60 (2H,m),                    1.43 (4H,m)                                                      Ia-7  4 Z     11.03 (1H,COOH), 8.52 (1H,s), 8.43 (1H,d,5Hz), 7.47                            (1H,d,7Hz), 7.30 (3H,m),                                                       7.20 (3H,m), 6.11 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.30 (2H,m), 2.10 (2H,m),                        1.7-1.3 (8H,m)                                                   Ia-8  4 E     10.90 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.48 (2H,m), 7.20 (5H,m),                        6.17 (1H,t,8Hz),                                                               2.31 (2H,t,7Hz), 2.07 (2H,t,7Hz), 1.7-1.3 (8H,m)                 Ia-9  5 Z     10.70 (1H,COOH), 8.46 (2H,m), 7.46 (2H,m), 7.20 (5H,m),                        6.16 (1H,t,8Hz),                                                               2.31 (2H,t,7Hz), 2.04 (2H,t,7Hz), 1.60 (2H,m), 1.28                            (10H,m)                                                           Ia-10                                                                               5 E     10.63 (COOH), 8.49 (2H,m), 7.27 (7H,m), 6.12 (1H,t,7Hz),                       2.31 (2H,t,7Hz),                                                               2.08 (2H,t,7Hz), 1.58 (2H,m), 1.28 (10H,m)                       __________________________________________________________________________      *.sup.1 In the designation of isomers, E means the isomers where the           pyridine nucleus on the one carbon and hydrogen atom on the other carbon       are on the same direction in the trisubstituted olefin bond, and Z means       the isomers where they are on opposite directions to each other. The same      applies to the subsequent Tables.                                        

                                      TABLE 3-2                                    __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR65##                                                                      ##STR66##                                                                     Compound                                                                       No.   R.sup.2           NMR Spectrum (δ value, p.p.m., TMS internal                              standard)                                              __________________________________________________________________________                      Isomer*.sup.1                                                                  (m.p.)                                                        Ib-11                                                                                 ##STR67## A      10.55 (COOH,1H), 8.55 (1H,s), 8.43 (1H,d,6Hz),                                 7.47 (1H,d,8Hz), 7.18 (2H,d,9Hz), 7.18 (1H,m),                                 7.00 (2H,d,9Hz), 6.09 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.37 (3H,s),                                 2.30 (2H,t,7Hz), 2.18 (2H,t,7Hz), 1.61 (4H,m)          Ib-12                                                                                 ##STR68## B (126-127°  C.)                                                               10.79 (1H,COOH), 8.56 (1H,d,6Hz), 8.44 (1H,s),                                 7.54 (1H,d,t,8 and 2Hz), 7.32 (1H,d,d,8 and 6Hz),                              .05 (4H,s), 6.13 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.30 (3H,s), 2.21                                 (2H,t), 2.06 (2H,t), 1.61 (4H,t)                       Ib-13                                                                                 ##STR69## A      10.40 (1H,COOH), 8.61 (1H,m), 8.45 (1H,m), 7.50                                (9H,m), 6.21 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.29 (4H,m), 1.60                                     (4H,m)                                                                  Isomer*.sup.2                                                                  (m.p.)                                                        Ib-14                                                                                 ##STR70## B (157-158° C.)                                                                11.26 (1H,COOH), 8.60 (1H,m), 8.54 (1H,m), 7.52                                (3H,m), 7.44 (6H,m), 6.30 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.31                                     (2H,m), 2.12 (2H,m), 1.60 (4H,m)                       Ib-15                                                                                 ##STR71## A + B  10.50 (1H,COOH), 8.51 (1H,m), 8.43 (1H,m), 7.00                                (6H,m), 6.07 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.29 (2H,t), 2.14                                     (2H,t), 1.56 (4H,m), 3.79 & 3.74 (3H,s)                Ib-16                                                                                 ##STR72## A      10.30 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.47 (2H,m), 6.80                                (1H,d,8Hz), 6.60 (1H,d,d,8 & 2Hz), 6.57                                        (1H,d,2Hz), 6.06 (1H,t,7Hz), 5.96 (2H,s), 2.31                                 (2H,m), 2.16 (2H,m), 1.58 (4H,m)                       Ib-17                                                                                 ##STR73## B (90-91° C.)                                                                  9.20 (1H,COOH), 8.46 (2H,m), 7.50 (1H,m), 7.37                                 (1H,m), 6.68 (1H,d,2Hz), 6.68 (1H,d,8Hz), 6.53                                 (1H,d,d,8 & 2Hz), 6.05 (1H,t,7Hz), 5.92 (2H,s),                                2.28 (2H,m), 2.03 (2H,m), 1.57 (4H,m)                  Ib-18                                                                                 ##STR74## A      9.07 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.44 (1,d,7Hz), 7.20                              (2H,d,8Hz), 7.18 (1H,m), 7.02 (2H,d,8Hz), 6.08                                 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.92 (1H,m), 2.31 (2H,m), 2.16                                     (2H,m), 1.57 (4H,m), 1.27 (6H,d,7Hz)                   Ib-19                                                                                 ##STR75## B      10.60 (1H,COOH), 8.53 (1H,m), 8.45 (1H,m), 7.50                                (1H,m), 7.20 (1H,m), 7.09 (4H,s),                                              6.13 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.86 (1H,m), 2.22 (2H,m), 2.06                                (2H,m), 1.57 (4H,m), 1.23 (6H,d,7Hz)                   Ib-20                                                                                 ##STR76## B (84-85° C.)                                                                  10.50 (1H,COOH), 8.59 (1H,d,2Hz), 8.48 (1H,d,d,2                               & 4Hz), 7.58 (1H,d,t,7 & 2Hz), 7.29 (1H,m), 7.24                               (1H,d,d,4 & 7Hz), 7.04 (1H,m), 6.85 (1H,m), 6.04                               (1H,t,8Hz), 2.34 (4H,m), 1.64 (4H,m)                   Ib-21                                                                                 ##STR77## A (93-94° C.)                                                                  11.90 (1H,COOH), 8.53 (2H,m), 7.62 (1H,m), 7.20                                (1H,m), 7.15 (1H,m), 6.85 (1H,m), 6.48 (1H,m),                                 6.22 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.35 (4H,m), 1.63 (4H,m)              Ib-22                                                                                 ##STR78## A      11.80 (1H,COOH), 8.64 (1H,m), 8.38 (1H,m), 7.79                                (2H,m), 7.60 (1H,m), 7.38 (6H,m),                                              6.50 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.20 (2H,m), 1.87 (2H,m), 1.49                                (4H,m)                                                 Ib-23                                                                                 ##STR79## A      10.15 (1H,COOH), 8.64 (1H,m), 8.38 (1H,m), 7.79                                (2H,m), 7.60 (1H,m), 7.38 (6H,m), 6.50                                         (1H,t,7Hz), 2.20 (2H,m), 1.87 (2H,m), 1.49                                     (4H,m)                                                 Ib-24                                                                                 ##STR80## --     10.85 (1H,COOH), 8.51 (4H,m), 7.43 (4H,m), 6.25                                (1H,t,7Hz), 2.27 (4H,m), 1.59 (4H,m)                   Ib-25                                                                                 ##STR81## A      10.12 (1H,COOH), 8.57 (1H,d,2Hz), 8.40 (1H,d, d,4                              & 2Hz), 7.46 (1H,d,t,8 & 2Hz), 7.10 (3H,m), 6.68                               (1H,d,d,7 & 2Hz), 6.19 (1H,t,7Hz), 3.84 (3H,s),                                3.64 (2H,t,7Hz), 2.29 (2H,m), 2.25 (2H,m), 1.52                                (4H,m), 0.76 (3H,t,7Hz)                                Ib-26                                                                                 ##STR82## A + B  10.62 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.40 (6H,m), 6.13 &                              6.17 (1H,t), 2.32 (2H,m), 2.10 (2H,m), 1.57                                    (4H,m)                                                 Ib-27                                                                                 ##STR83## A + B  11.50 (1H,COOH), 8.48 (2H,m), 7.30 (6H,m), 6.18 &                              6.14 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.30 (2H,m), 2.15 (2H,m), 1.57                                (4H,m)                                                 Ib-28                                                                                 ##STR84## A      12.70 (1H,COOH), 8.47 (2H,m), 7.45 (1H,m), 7.20                                (4H,m), 6.28 (1H,t,8Hz), 2.29 (2H,m), 1.59                                     (4H,m)                                                 Ib-29                                                                                 ##STR85## A + B  11.85 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.16 (4H,m), 6.90                                (2H,m), 6.20 & 6.14 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.23 (2H,m), 2.10                              (2H,m), 1.58 (4H,m)                                    Ib-30                                                                                 ##STR86## A + B  11.28 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.40 (2H,m), 7.00                                (4H,m), 6.12 & 6.09 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.30 (2H,m), 2.13                              (2H,m), 1.57 (4H,m)                                    Ib-31                                                                                 ##STR87## A + B  11.70 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.40 (6H,m), 6.22 &                              6.20 (1H,t), 2.30 (2H,m), 2.11 (2H,m), 1.60                                    (4H,m)                                                 Ib-32                                                                                 ##STR88## A + B  9.77 (1H,COOH), 8.50 (2H,m), 7.40 (2H,m), 6.70                                 (3H,m), 6.08 (1H,t,7Hz), 3.93 (2H,t, 8Hz), 3.78                                (3H,s), 2.28 (2H,m), 2.05 (2H,m), 1.79 (2H,m),                                 1.59 (4H,m), 1.01 (3H,t,8Hz)                           Ib-33                                                                                 ##STR89## A + B  11.60 (1H,COOH), 8.48 (2H,m), 7.30 (4H,m), 6.98 &                              6.87 (1H,m), 6.21 & 6.06 (1H,t,7Hz), 2.28 (4H,m),                              1.59 (4H,m)                                            Ib-34                                                                                 ##STR90## A + B  9.6 (1H,COOH), 8.40-8.70 (2H,m), 7.20-7.75                                     (3H,m), 6.10-6.50 (2H,m), 5.65-5.90 (1H,m),                                    1.90-2.70 (4H,m), 1.30-1.90 (4H,m)                     Ib-35                                                                                 ##STR91## A (145-146° C.)                                                                11.87 (1H,COOH), 8.43 (1H), 7.20-8.00 (6H,m),                                  6.73 (1H,s), 6.33 (1H,t), 2.07 (4H,m), 1.43                                    (4H,m)                                                 Ib-36                                                                                 ##STR92## A + B  11.80 (1H,COOH), 8.40-8.70 (2H,m), 7.20- 7.90                                  (2H,m), 5.30-6.90 (5H,m), 2.00-2.60 (6H,m),                                    1.20-1.90 (6H,m), 0.90 (3H,t)                          Ib-37                                                                                 ##STR93## A + B  10.20 (1H,COOH), 8.40-8.70 (2H,m), 6.85- 7.60                                  (6H,m), 6.00-6.30 (1H,m), 1.90-2.70 (6H,m),                                    1.20-1.90 (10H,m), 0.87 (3H,t)                         Ib-38                                                                                 ##STR94## A + B  9.40 (1H,COOH), 8.35-8.65 (2H,m), 6.90-7.90                                    (6H,m), 5.90-6.30 (1H,m), 2.00-2.70 (6H, m),                                   1.20-1.90 (10H,m), 0.90 (3H,t)                         __________________________________________________________________________      *.sup.2 Two types of geometrical isomers are optionally designated by A        and B, and a mixture of them is designated as A + B. This designation is       applied in subsequent tables.                                            

                  TABLE 3-3                                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR95##                    (Ic)                                             Com-                      NMR Spectrum                                         pound            Isomer*.sup.2                                                                           (δ value, p.p.m.,                              No.   R.sup.1    (m.p.)   TMS internal standard)                               ______________________________________                                         Ic-39                                                                                 ##STR96## A        1.53 (4H), 2.15 (4H), 6.13 (1H), 7.10-7.80                                     (8H), 8.68 (1H), 10.33 (1H)                          Ic-40                                                                                 ##STR97## B        1.57 (4H), 2.20 (4H), 6.80 (1H), 6.83 (1H),                                    7.00-7.65 (7H), 8.60 (1H), 9.60 (1H)                 Ic-41                                                                                 ##STR98## A (149- 150°)                                                                    1.47 (4H), 2.13 (4H), 6.37 (1H), 7.00-7.60                                     (7H), 8.40 (2H), 11.85 (1H)                          ______________________________________                                          *.sup.2 Refer to Table 32                                                

                  TABLE 3-4                                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR99##                    (Id)                                             Com-                       NMR Spectrum                                        pound            Isomer*.sup.2                                                                            (δ value, p.p.m.,                             No.   R.sup.2    (m.p.)    TMS internal standard)                              ______________________________________                                         Id-42                                                                                 ##STR100##                                                                               A + B     11.80(1H,COOH), 8.53(2H,m), 7.62(1H,m),                                        7.30(2H,m), 6.85(1H,m), 6.83 and 6.48(1H,m),                                   6.22 and 6.04(1H,t,7Hz), 2.30(4H,m),                ______________________________________                                                                    1.46(6H,m)                                           *.sup.2 Refer to Table 32                                                

EXAMPLE 2

Phorphorus pentachloride (3.0 g, 14.2 mmoles) was suspended in dichloromethane (4 ml). To the suspension was added dropwise a solution of 1-phenyl-1-(3-pyridyl)-2-propen-1-ol (2.0 g, 9.5 mmoles) in dichloromethane (20 ml) at 0° C., then the mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature, followed by washing with water, saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate in the order. The organic layer is dried (magnesium sulfate), and concentrated to about 20 ml at a temperature not exceeding 30° C. The solution was further dried with molecular sieves 4A. This solution was named as (a) solution. Separately, sodium hydride (400 mg, 10 mmoles) is suspended in dimethylformamide (5 ml). To the suspension was added dropwise methyl metahydroxybenzoate (1.37 g, 9.0 mmoles) dissolved in dimethylformamide (5 ml). The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C., to which was added dropwise the (a) solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 1.5 hours. The reaction mixture was poured in ice-water, which is subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate, washed with water and dried (magnesium sulfate), followed by removing the solvent by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue was subjected to silica-gel column chromatography, using ether-ethyl acetate (7:3) as eluant to yield methyl 3-[3-(3-pyridyl)-3-phenyl-2-propenyloxy]benzoate (If-56) (3.0 g, 92%).

Substituted vinyl carboxylic acid derivatives (I) prepared by a procedure analogous to that of the above Example 2 are shown as (Ie-43, Ie-44, Ie-52) in Table 4-1, (If-55-If-63) in Table 4-2 and (Ii-77 and (Ii-78) in Table 6.

EXAMPLE 3

Methyl 3-[3-(3-pyridyl)-3-phenyl-2-propenyloxy]benzoate (If-56, 1.5 g, 4.35 mmoles) was dissolved in a mixture of water (3 ml) and methanol (10 ml). To the solution was added sodium hydroxide (700 mg, 17.5 mmoles). The mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 60° C., which was then left standing for cooling. To the reaction solution was added water, the pH of which was adjusted to 5 with 1N hydrochloric acid, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated saline, dried and the solvent was evaporated off. The residue was subjected to silica-gel column chromatography using ethyl acetate as eluant to yield 3-[3-(3-pyridyl)-3-phenyl-2-propenyloxy]benzoic acid (Ie-46) (1.15 g, 80%). Hydrolysis analogous to the above afforded substituted vinyl carboxylic acid derivatives (Ie-45-Ie-51, Ie-53, Ie-54) shown in Table 4-1.

EXAMPLE 4

To (E)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-phenyl-6-heptenoic acid (Ia-4, 300 mg was dissolved in 2N HCl (5 ml). The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. Recrystallization of the resulting crystals from ethanol-isopropyl ether gave (E)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-phenyl-6-heptenoic acid hydrochloride (Ii-75) (285 mg), m.p. 163°-165° C. Physico-chemical properties including other data are shown in Table 6.

EXAMPLE 5

(E)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-phenyl-6-heptenoic acid (Ia-4) (500 mg) and sodium hydrogen carbonate (160 mg) were added to water (5 ml) to make a homogeneous solution. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. The concentrate was pulverized by the use of ethanol-isopropylether to obtain sodium (E)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-phenyl-6-heptenoate (Ii-76, 300 mg). The physico-chemical properties and other data of the product are shown in Table 6.

EXAMPLE 6

(E+Z)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-phenyl-6-heptenoic acid (Ia-3, Ia-4) (0.5 g) was dissolved in ethyl acetate (50 ml). To the solution was added, under cooling, a diazomethane ether solution, which was concentrated, and the concentrate was subjected to a Lobar column-chromatography (RP-8) to separate into methyl (E)- and methyl (Z)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-phenyl-6-heptenoate (Ig-72) and (Ig-73), respectively.

The reaction process analogous to Example 6 gave substituted vinyl carboxylic acid derivatives (Ig-64-Ig-74). The physico-chemical properties of these compounds, including other physical constants thereof, are shown in Table 5.

                                      TABLE 4-1                                    __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR101##                              (Ie)                                  Compound         Isomer*.sup.2                                                                         NMR Spectrum                                           No.   Y        n (m.p.) (δ value, p.p.m., TMS internal                   __________________________________________________________________________                             standard)                                              Ie-43 S        1 A      2.93 (2H), 3.38 (2H), 6.27 (1H),                                        (132-133° C.)                                                                  7.10-7.50 (6H), 7.65 (1H),                                                     8.40-8.60 (2H), 12.72 (1H)                             Ie-44 S        2 A      2.38 (2H), 2.70 (2H), 3.22 (2H),                                        (147-148° C.)                                                                  6.23 (1H), 7.10-7.50 (6H), 7.62 (1H),                                          8.48 (1H), 10.52 (1H)                                  Ie-45                                                                                 ##STR102##                                                                             0 A      4.78 (2H), 6.43 (1H), 6.70-7.70 (10H), 8.07 (1H),                              8.40-9.00 (3H)                                         Ie-46                                                                                 ##STR103##                                                                             0 A      4.62 (2H), 6.40 (1H), 6.90-7.80 (11H), 8.57 (1H),                              8.67 (1H), 11.40 (1H)                                  Ie-47                                                                                 ##STR104##                                                                             0 A (170-172° C.)                                                                4.95 (2H), 6.33 (1H), 6.83 (2H), 7.10-7.70 (7H),                               7.98 (2H), 8.40-8.80 (2H), 10.18 (1H)                  Ie-48                                                                                 ##STR105##                                                                             0 A (195-200° C.)                                                                4.92 (2H), 6.45 (1H), 7.10-7.70 (9H), 8.42 (1H),                               8.57 (1H), 9.70 (1H)                                   Ie-49                                                                                 ##STR106##                                                                             1 A (162-163° C.)                                                                3.50 (2H), 4.53 (2H), 6.40 (1H), 6.70- 7.70                                    (11H), 8.40 (1H), 8.57 (1H)                            Ie-50                                                                                 ##STR107##                                                                             1 A (146-147° C.)                                                                3.47 (2H), 4.53 (2H), 6.40 (1H), 6.65- 6.90 (2H),                              7.00-7.70 (9H), 8.25-8.70 (2H),                        Ie-51                                                                                 ##STR108##                                                                             1 A (194-195° C.)                                                                3.40 (2H), 4.50 (2H), 6.40 (1H), 6.65-6.90 (2H),                               7.00-7.70 (9H), 8.30-8.70 (2H), 12.10 (1H)             Ie-52 S        2 B      2.63 (2H), 2.73 (2H), 3.20 (2H), 6.22                                          (1H), 6.77 (1H), 7.10-7.50 (6H),                                               7.60 (1H), 8.40-8.70 (2H)                              Ie-53                                                                                 ##STR109##                                                                             0 A (120-126° C.)                                                                4.60 (2H), 6.30-6.55 (3H), 7.10-7.80 (8H), 8.40                                (1H), 8.57 (1H)                                        Ie-54                                                                                 ##STR110##                                                                             0 A (218-219° C.)                                                                4.50 (2H), 6.37 (1H), 6.87 (1H), 6.95-7.65 (9H),                               9.60 (2H)                                              __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 4-2                                    __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR111##                               (If)                                 Compound       n  Isomer*.sup.2                                                                         NMR Spectrum                                          No.   Y        R.sup.3                                                                           (m.p.) (δ value, p.p.m., TMS internal                  __________________________________________________________________________                              standard)                                             If-55                                                                                 ##STR112##                                                                             0 Me                                                                              A (92-93° C.)                                                                  3.88 (3H), 4.65 (2H), 6.47 (1H), 6.70- 7.90                                    (11H), 8.50 (1H), 8.60 (1H)                           If-56                                                                                 ##STR113##                                                                             0 Me                                                                              A + B  3.87 (3H), 4.60 (2H), 6.40 (1H), 6.90- 7.70                                    (11H), 8.53 (1H), 8.62 (1H)                           If-57                                                                                 ##STR114##                                                                             0 Me                                                                              A + B  3.83 (3H), 4.60 (2H), 6.38 (1H), 6.82 (2H),                                    7.10-7.65 (7H), 7.93 (2H), 8.52 (1H), 8.60 (1H)       If-58                                                                                 ##STR115##                                                                             0 Et                                                                              A (141-142° C.)                                                                1.27 (3H), 4.20 (2H), 4.58 (2H), 6.40 (1H, 6.681                               (1H), 7.10-7.70 (9H), 8.38 (1H), 8.53 (1H), 9.83                               (1H)                                                  If-59                                                                                 ##STR116##                                                                             1 Me                                                                              A      3.67 (5H), 4.58 (2H), 6.38 (1H), 6.60- 7.70                                    (11H), 8.50 (1H), 8.62 (1H)                           If-60                                                                                 ##STR117##                                                                             1 Me                                                                              A      3.57 (2H), 3.67 (3H), 4.58 (2H), 6.43 (1H),                                    6.60-6.90 (3H), 7.05-7.60 (8H), 8.56 (1H), 8.63                                (1H)                                                  If-61                                                                                 ##STR118##                                                                             1 Me                                                                              A      3.53 (2H), 3.67 (3H), 4.53 (2H), 6.42 (1H), 6.77                               (2H), 7.00-7.60 (9H), 8.47 (1H), 8.60 (1H)            If-62                                                                                 ##STR119##                                                                             0 Me                                                                              A      3.83 (3H), 4.57 (2H), 6.30-6.50 (3H), 7.15-7.80                                (8H), 8.50 (1H), 8.60 (1H), 10.87 (1H)                If-63                                                                                 ##STR120##                                                                             0 Me                                                                              A      3.90 (3H), 4.52 (2H), 6.37 (1H), 6.75- 7.60                                    (10H), 8.50 (1H), 8.60 (1H), 10.33                    __________________________________________________________________________                              (1H)                                                   *.sup.2 " Refer to Table 32                                              

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR121##                                (Ig)                                Compound                 NMR Spectrum                                          No.   R.sup.2    n *.sup.1,*.sup.2 Isomer                                                               (δ value, p.p.m., TMS internal                  __________________________________________________________________________                              standard)                                             Ig-64                                                                                 ##STR122##                                                                               2 A + B 8.50(2H,m), 7.30(2H,m), 7.09 & 7.06 (2H,d,8Hz),                                6.88 & 6.78(2H,d,8Hz), 6.05 & 6.02(1J,6), 3.82 &                               3.78(3H,s), 3.64(3H,s), 2.26 & 2.13(2H,m), 1.55                                (4H,m)                                                Ig-65                                                                                 ##STR123##                                                                               2 A + B 8.54(1H,m), 8.40(1H,m), 7.46(1H,d, t,7 & 2Hz),                                 7.12(1H,d,d,7. & 4Hz), 6.90(3H,m),                                             6.15(1H,t,7Hz), 3.84 (3H,s), 3.67(3H,s),                                       3.64(2H,m), 2.27 & 2.05 (2H,m), 1.51(6H,m),                                    0.78(3H,t,8Hz)                                        Ig-66                                                                                 ##STR124##                                                                               2 A + B 8.46 & 8.53(1H,m), 7.40(2H,m), 6.72(3H,m) 6.06 &                               6.04(1H,t,7Hz), 3.94 & 4.00(2H,t,7Hz), 3.18 &                                  3.64(3H,s), 2.25 & 2.05(2H,m), 1.80(6H,m), 1.04                                & 1.00(3H,t,m)                                        Ig-67                                                                                 ##STR125##                                                                               2 A + B 8.49(2H,m), 7.49 & 7.30(1H,m), 6.37(2H,s), 6.10                                & 6.08(1H,t,7Hz), 3.82(3H,s), 3.80(3H,s),                                      3.77(3H,s), 3.65(3H,s), 2.27 & 2.15(2H,m),                                     1.59(4H,m)                                            Ig-68                                                                                 ##STR126##                                                                               2 A     8.47(2H,m), 7.64(1H,m), 7.25(5H,m), 6.24(1H,t,7Hz                              ), 3.62(3H,s), 2.25(2H,m), 2.02(2H,m),                                         1.56(4H,m)                                            Ig-69                                                                                 ##STR127##                                                                               2 A + B 8.50(2H,m), 7.30(6H,m), 6.14 & 6.10 (1H,t,7Hz),                                3.63(3H,s), 2.26 & 2.10(2H,m), 1.55(4H,m)             Ig-70                                                                                 ##STR128##                                                                               2 A + B 8.50(2H,m), 7.30(6H,m), 6.14 & 6.10 (1H,t,7Hz),                                2.26 & 2.09(2H,m), 1.55 (4H,m)                        Ig-71                                                                                 ##STR129##                                                                               5 A + B 8.48(2H,m), 7.31(7H,m), 3.65(3H,s), 6.16 &                                     6.07(1H,t,7Hz), 2.28(2H,t,7Hz), 2.11(2H,m),                                    1.58(2H,m), 1.30(10H,m)                               Ig-72                                                                                 ##STR130##                                                                               2 E     8.46(2H,m), 7.44(1H,d,5Hz), 7.32 (3H,m),                                       7.15(3H,m), 6.09(1H,t,7Hz), 3.66(3H,s,Me),                                     2.26(2H,t,7Hz), 2.13(2H,t,7Hz), 1.55(4H,m)            Ig-73                                                                                 ##STR131##                                                                               2 Z     8.50(2H,m), 7.48(1H,d,6Hz), 7.23(6H,m), 6.16(1H,t                              ,7Hz), 3.66(3H,s), 2.27(2H,t, 7Hz),                                            2.09(2H,t,7Hz), 1.56(4H,m)                            Ig-74                                                                                 ##STR132##                                                                               2 --    8.60(1H,m), 8.48(3H,m), 7.45(4H,m), 6.21(1H,t,7Hz                              ), 3.64(3H,s), 2.28(2H,m), 2.21(2H,m),                __________________________________________________________________________                              1.57(4H,m)                                             *.sup.1, *.sup.2 Refer to Table 31 and 32                                

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR133##                               (Ii)                                 Compound        n *.sup.1,*.sup.2 Isomer                                                                NMR Spectrum                                          No.    Y        R.sup.3                                                                          (m.p.) (δ value, p.p.m., TMS internal                  __________________________________________________________________________                              standard)                                             Ii-75  CH.sub.2 2 E      10.40(1H,COOH), 8.75(1H,d,5Hz), 8.61                                  H (163-165° C.)                                                                  (1H,d,2Hz), 8.23(1H,d,8Hz), 7.91(1H,d,                                         d,8 & 5Hz), 7.40(3H,m), 7.18(2H,m), 6.52                                       (1H,t,7Hz), 2.14(4H,m), 1.48(4H,m)                    Ii-76  CH.sub.2 2 E      8.35(2H,m), 7.33(7H,m), 6.15(1H,t,7Hz),                               Na       1.99(4H,m), 1.40(4H,m)                                Ii-77                                                                                  ##STR134##                                                                             O H                                                                              A      8.57(1H,m), 8.40(1H,m), 6.80-7.80 (10H,m),                                     6.42(1H), 4.65(2H), 2.26(3H)                          Ii-78                                                                                  ##STR135##                                                                             O H                                                                              A      9.60(2H), 8.57(1H), 8.40(1H), 6.90-7.65(10H),                                  4.50(2H), 6.37(1H), 2.25(3H)                          __________________________________________________________________________      *.sup.1,*.sup.2 Refer to Table 31 and 32-                                

EXPERIMENT 1 Inhibitory Action on Thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) Synthetase

As a specimen of TXA₂ synthetase was employed horse platelet microsomes treated with indomethacin (indomethacin-treated horse platelet microsomes: IPM), which were prepared according to the method described by Needleman et al. (Science 193 163, 1976).

To 60 μl of 50 mM tris-buffer solution (pH 7.5) of IPM (containing 140 μg as protein) was added 60 μl of the buffer solution or the solution containing the test compounds at various concentrations. The mixtures were left standing for 5 minutes at room temperature. Then at 0° C. to 100 μl portion of the mixture was added 20 μl of the buffer solution containing 30 ng of prostaglandin H₂ (PGH₂). The mixtures were left standing for 5 minutes at 0° C. to cause formation of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂). The reaction of thromboxane A₂ production was stopped by the addition of 500 μl of the tris-buffer to the mixture. Using 50 μl of the mixtures, the quantitative determination of thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂), a stable metabolite of TXA₂, was done by means of the radioimmunoassay (Shibouta et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 28 3601, 1979).

The inhibitory activity of the compounds on TXA₂ -synthetase was determined from the difference in the production of TXB₂ between the test group and the control group.

The results on typical compounds are shown by Table 7 below:

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Inhibitory Action on                                                           Thromboxane A.sub.2 Synthetase                                                          % Inhibition on                                                                thromboxane A.sub.2 synthetase                                        Compound   Concentration of                                                                            Concentration of                                       No.        3 × 10.sup.-8 M                                                                       10.sup.7 M                                             ______________________________________                                         Ia-4       58.5         92.8                                                   Ia-6       64.3         98.6                                                   Ia-8       55.7         93.3                                                   Ia-10      36.2         90.4                                                   Ib-13      78.5         95.7                                                   Ib-16      49.1         89.0                                                   Ib-20      82.5         96.6                                                   Ib-21      50.1         94.1                                                   Ib-22      75.8         98.3                                                   Ib-30      30.6         84.6                                                   Ig-66      19.4         65.9                                                   Ii-75      56.2         92.3                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8 Promoting Action of Prostaglandin H₂ (PGH₂) or Prostaglandin G₂ (PGG₂) on Bio-synthesis of Blood-wall Prostaglandin I₂ (PGI₂)

Blood platelet aggregation experiment was performed according to the method described by Born (Nature 194, 927 1962).

To 250 μl of the rabbit platelet-rich plasma prepared by a conventional method was added 25 μl of 50 mM tris-buffer solution (pH 7.5) containing a test compound in a given concentration. The mixture was stirred for 2 minutes. To this mixture was added 1 mg of a strip of the aorta (containing PGI₂ -synthesizing enzyme activity) of the rat. Two minutes later, 25 μl (0.21 mM) of arachidonic acid was added to determine blood platelet aggregation ability.

Six minutes after the addition of arachidonic acid, 20 μl each portion was taken from each sample solution, and thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂ : a stable metabolite of TXA₂) and 6-Ketoprostaglandin F₁α (6-Keto-PGF₁α) (a stable metabolite of PGI₂) were determined by the radioimmunoassay (Shibouto et al. Biochem. Pharmacol. 28 3601, 1979) and (Terashita et al., Japan, J. Pharmacol., 32, 351, 1982). Blood platelet aggregation ability and the respective amounts of TXB₂ and 6-Keto-PGF₁α produced were compared in the respective cases where the rat aortic strip was added or not.

In Table 8, when the aortic strip was not added, the ratio of blood platelet aggregation in response arachidonic-acid (0.21 mM) stimulation was 100%, and, at this time, 32 ng of TXB₂ was produced and no 6-Keto-PGF₁α was observed. When 10⁻⁶ M of 7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid (Ia-4) was allowed to act, the aggregation ratio was 93%, slightly suppressed. In this case, the production of TXB₂ was almost completely suppressed (2 ng). When the aortic strip was used, the aggregation ratio was suppressed to 70% and the amount of TXB₂ decreased from 32 ng to 27 ng while the amount of 6-Keto-PGF₁α increased from 0 to 22 ng. In contrast to the above, when the aortic strip and 10⁻⁶ M of (Ia-4) were allowed to coexist, the aggregation ratio was further suppressed to 31%, while the amount of 6-Keto-PGF₁α remarkably increased from 22 ng up to 38 ng.

From these results, the compound (Ia-4) is considered to be able of completely suppress the biosynthesis of TXA₂ from arachidonic acid in blood platelet, and, when an aortic strip coexists, it is able to accelerate the utilization of PGH₂ and PGG₂, precursors of TXA₂, to the synthesis of PGI₂ in the blood vessel.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Effects of the compound (Ia-4) and the aortic strip                            on rabbit blood platelet aggregation due to                                    arachidonic acid and on production of TXB.sub.2 and 6-Keto-PGF.sub.1.alpha              Blood Platelet                                                                 aggregation                                                                               TXB.sub.2                                                                              6-Keto-PGF.sub.1α                                     ratio (%)  ng      ng                                                 ______________________________________                                         Addition of                                                                               100          32       0                                             aortic strip                                                                   Non-addition of                                                                           93            2       0                                             aortic strip +                                                                 (Ia-4) 10.sup.-6 M                                                             Addition of                                                                               70           27      22                                             aortic strip                                                                   Addition of                                                                               31            1      38                                             aortic strip +                                                                 (Ia-4) 10.sup.-6 M                                                             ______________________________________                                          arachidonic acid 0.21 mM                                                       aortic strip 1 mg                                                        

EXAMPLE 9

Sodium amide (31 g, 0.79 mole) was added to dimethyl sulfoxide (350 ml) under nitrogen and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. 5-Carboxypentyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (140 g, 0.306 mole) was added with the temperature being maintained at 40° C. or lower, and the mixture was stirred for an hour. A solution of 3-benzoylpyridine (55 g, 0.301 mole) in dimethylsulfoxide (50 ml) was added dropwise to the above mixture with stirring at room temperature. After completion of addition, the reaction was allowed to proceed at room temperature for an additional 30 minutes. Water (700 ml) was added and the neutral substance was extracted twice with toluene. The aqueous layer was adjusted to pH 5.5 with 6N hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give an equimolar mixture (71.0 g) of (E)- and (Z)-7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridy)-6-heptenoic acid. The mixture was dissolved in a mixture of 47% hydrobromic acid (300 ml) and water (300 ml), and the resulting mixture was heated at 110° C. for 18 hours. After cooling, the mixture was adjusted to pH 5.5 with 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oily product was dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 ml) and the solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for a day to give a crystalline product, which was collected by filtration to give (E)-7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid (28.6 g, 33.8%).

Concentration of the filtrate gave a mixture (40.4 g) of (E)- and (Z)-7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid (E form/Z from ratio=17:23). This mixture was repeatedly subjected to acid isomerization in the same manner as mentioned above to give a further crop (16.7 g, 19.7%) of (E)-7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid.

Acid isomerization in the same manner as above was repeated twice to give (E)-7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid (12.3 g, 14.5%).

The whole crystalline product (57.6 g) obtained by the above acid isomerization and crystallization procedure was crystallized twice from ethyl acetate (120 ml) to give (E)-7-phenyl-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid (52.3 g, 61.7%) having a purity of not less than 99%. Mp 114°-115° C.

Elemental analysis Calcd. for C₁₈ H₁₉ NO₂ : C, 76.84; H, 6.81; N, 4.98. Found: C, 76.76; H, 6.69; N, 4.68.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum [δ, p.p.m.; TMS internal standard: (the same in all examples that follows)]: 11.8(1H, COOH), 8.55(2H, m), 7.46(1H, d, 7 Hz), 7.31(3H, m), 7.16(3H, m), 6.13(1H, t, 7 Hz), 2.29(2H, t, 7 Hz), 2.13(2H, t, 7 Hz), 1.58(4H, m).

EXAMPLE 10

Sodium hydroxide (1 g, 60% in oil) was added to dimethyl sulfoxide (25 ml) under nitrogen and the mixture was heated at 85° C. with stirring for an hour. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and 5-carboxypentyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (5.2 g, 11 mmoles) was added gradually. The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes and a solution of 3-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzoyl)pyridine (2.5 g, 0.11 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) was added dropwise thereto. After completion of addition, the mixture was further stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. After completion of the reaction, water (100 ml) was added and the neutral substance was extracted twice with toluene (50 ml). The aqueous layer was adjusted to pH 5.5 with 2N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was subjected to silica gel column chromatography using ethyl acetate as the eluent. The eluant was concentrated and the residue was crystallized from ethyl acetate-isopropyl ether to give (Z)-7-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid (0.4 g, 24.6%). Mp 90°-91° C.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum: 9.20(COOH), 8.46(2H, m), 7.50(1H, m), 7.30(1H, m), 6.68(1H, d, 2 Hz), 6.68(1H, d, 8 Hz), 6.53(1H, dd, 8 Hz, 2 Hz), 6.05(1H, t, 7 Hz), 5.92(2H, s), 2.28(2H, m), 2.03(2H, m), 1.57(4H, m).

The above-obtained (Z) isomer (0.3 g) was dissolved in 18% aqueous hydrochloric acid and the solution was heated at 110° C. for 20 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was adjusted to pH 5.5 with aqueous ammonia and extracted with ethyl acetate. High performance liquid chromatography of this product revealed that the E isomer/Z isomer ratio was E/Z=51:21. Liquid chromatography of this mixture (0.26 g) using Lobar LiChroprep RP-8 (40-63 um; E. Merck, Darmstadt) separated the mixture into the Z isomer, which was first eluted, and the E-isomer, which was later eluted. Concentration of the E-isomer fraction gave (E)-7-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid (0.14 g).

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum: 10.30(1H, COOH), 8.50(2H, m), 7.47(2H, m), 6.80(1H, d, 8 Hz), 6.60(1H, d.d., 8 Hz, 2 Hz), 6.57(1H, d, 2 Hz), 6.06(1H, t, 7 Hz), 5.96(2H, s), 2.31(2H, m), 2.16(2H, m), 1.58(4H, m).

EXAMPLE 11

Sodium hydride (60% in oil, 10 g, 0.25 mole) was added to dimethyl sulfoxide (250 ml) under argon and the mixture was stirred at 85° C. for an hour. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and 5-carboxypentyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (52 g, 0.11 mole) was added gradually with the temperature being maintained at 40° C. The resulting mixture was stirred for 10 minutes, and a solution of 2-nicotinoylthiophene (20 g, 0.11 mole) in tetrahyrofuran (60 ml) was added dropwise. After the addition, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, and water (300 ml) was added. The aqueous solution was extracted twice with toluene (300 ml) to remove the neutral substance. The aqueous layer was adjusted to pH 5.5 with 2N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water, dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was subjected to silica gel column chromatography using ethyl acetate as eluant and the eluate was concentrated. The resulting oily product was dissolved in ethyl acetate and the solution was allowed to stand overnight to give (Z)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-(2-thienyl)-6-heptenoic acid (9 g, 29%). Mp 93°-94° C.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum: 11.90(1H, COOH), 8.53(2H, m), 7.62(1H, m), 7.20(1H, m), 7.15(1H, m), 6.85(1H, m), 6.48(1H, m), 6.22(1H, t, 7 Hz), 2.35(4H, m), 1.63(4H, m).

The Z isomer (1.0 g) obtained in the above reaction was dissolved in 50% aqueous phosphoric acid (10 ml) and the solution was heated at 100° C. for 16 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was adjusted to pH 5.5 with aqueous ammonia, followed by extraction and separation in the conventional manner. High performance liquid chromatography of this crude product revealed that the E isomer/Z isomer ratio was E/Z=76:14. The crude product (0.92 g) was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give (E)-7-(3-pyridyl)-7-(2-thienyl)-6-heptenoic acid (0.65 g). Mp. 84°-85° C.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum: 10.50(1H, COOH), 8.57(1H, d, 2 Hz), 8.48(1H, d.d, 2 Hz, 4 Hz), 7.58(1H, d, t, 7 Hz, 2 Hz), 7.29(1H, m), 7.24(1H, d.d, 4 Hz, 7 Hz), 7.04(1H, m), 6.85(1H, m), 6.04(1H, t, 8 Hz), 2.34 (4H, m), 1.64(4H, m). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the formula: ##STR136## wherein R¹ is pyridyl; R² is phenyl, thienyl, furyl, naphthyl, benzothienyl or pyridyl, optionally substituted by a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, trifluoromethyl group, a lower alkenyl group or methylenedioxy group, R³ is hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and n is an integer of 0 to 6; Y is a sulphur atom, methylene group or a group of the formula: ##STR137## wherein R⁴ is hydrogen atom or acetyl group, and m is 0 or
 1. 2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R¹ is 3-pyridyl.
 3. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein Y is a sulphur atom or methylene group.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R² is phenyl, thienyl, furyl or naphthyl.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein n is 1 to
 4. 6. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 7. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R³ is a lower alkyl group.
 8. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R¹ is 3-pyridyl; R² is phenyl, thienyl, furyl or naphthyl; Y is a sulphur atom or methylene group; and n is an integer of 1 to
 4. 9. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is 7-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-(3-pyridyl)-6-heptenoic acid.
 10. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is 7-(3-pyridyl)-7-(2-thienyl)-6-heptenoic acid.
 11. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is methyl 7-(3-pyridyl)-7-phenyl-6-heptenoate.
 12. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is 7-(3-pyridyl)-7-(3-thienyl)-6-heptenoic acid.
 13. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is 8-(3-pyridyl)-8-phenyl-7-octenoic acid.
 14. A pharmaceutical composition suitable for inhibiting activity of thromboxane synthetase in a mammal, which comprises, as an active ingredient, an effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR138## wherein R¹ is pyridyl; R² is phenyl, thienyl, furyl, naphthyl, benzothienyl or pyridyl, optionally substituted by a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, trifluoromethyl group, a lower alkenyl group or methylenedioxy group; R³ is hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and n is an integer of 0 to 6; Y is a sulphur atom, methylene group or a group of the formula: ##STR139## wherein R⁴ is hydrogen atom or acetyl group, and m is 0 or 1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient therefor. 